Donald Trump

FCC to Investigate Colbert's Controversial Trump Joke: Chairman

Colbert may get a reprieve from any sort of penalty since the "The Late Show" airs after 10 p.m.

The Federal Communications Commission will investigate late-night TV host Stephen Colbert and take "appropriate action" after receiving complaints about his controversial monologue earlier this week, NBC News reported. 

His opener during Monday's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" took aim at President Donald Trump by referencing a sexual act — and set off a #FireColbert backlash on social media. 

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said Thursday on Philadelphia talk radio station 1210 WPHT that if Colbert is found to be in violation of the FCC standards, then the commission would look into "the appropriate remedy" — typically a fine that depends on the severity and frequency of the infraction.

But Colbert may get a reprieve from any sort of penalty since the "The Late Show" airs after 10 p.m. — outside the FCC's long-established "safe harbor" time of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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